81_FR_64626 81 FR 64444 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the West Region of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and Notice of Public Meetings

81 FR 64444 - Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the West Region of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network and Notice of Public Meetings

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
First Responder Network Authority

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 182 (September 20, 2016)

Page Range64444-64445
FR Document2016-22575

The First Responder Network Authority (``FirstNet'') announces the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the West Region (``Draft PEIS''). FirstNet also announces a series of public meetings to be held throughout the West Region to receive comments on the Draft PEIS. The Draft PEIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the proposed nationwide public safety broadband network in the West Region, composed of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64444-64445]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22575]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

First Responder Network Authority

[Docket Number: 160830796-6796-01]
RIN 0660-XC030


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement for the West Region of the Nationwide Public Safety 
Broadband Network and Notice of Public Meetings

AGENCY: First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Announcement of availability of a draft programmatic 
environmental impact statement and of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The First Responder Network Authority (``FirstNet'') announces 
the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement for the West Region (``Draft PEIS''). FirstNet also announces 
a series of public meetings to be held throughout the West Region to 
receive comments on the Draft PEIS. The Draft PEIS evaluates the 
potential environmental impacts of the proposed nationwide public 
safety broadband network in the West Region, composed of Arizona, 
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

DATES: Submit comments on the Draft PEIS for the West Region on or 
before November 15, 2016. FirstNet will also hold public meetings in 
each of the six states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
meeting dates.

ADDRESSES: At any time during the public comment period, members of the 
public, public agencies, and other interested parties are encouraged to 
submit written comments, questions, and concerns about the project for 
FirstNet's consideration or to attend any of the public meetings. 
Written comments may be submitted electronically via 
www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET-2016-0004, or by mail to Genevieve 
Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, First Responder Network 
Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, 
Reston, VA 20192. Comments received will be made a part of the public 
record and may be posted to FirstNet's Web site (www.firstnet.gov) 
without change. Comments should be machine readable and should not be 
copy-protected. All personally identifiable information (e.g., name, 
address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information. The Draft PEIS is 
available for download from www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET-2016-0004. A 
CD containing the electronic files of this document is also available 
at public libraries (see Chapter 14 of the Draft PEIS for the complete 
distribution list). See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for public 
meeting addresses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information on the Draft 
PEIS, contact Genevieve Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, 
First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise 
Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Meetings

    Attendees can obtain information regarding the project and/or 
submit a comment in person during public meetings. The meeting details 
are as follows:
     Olympia, Washington: October 3, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 
8:00 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Olympia, 415 Capitol Way North, 
Olympia, WA 98501.
     Los Angeles, California: October 4, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. 
to 8:00 p.m., Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, 251 South 
Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
     Sacramento, California: October 5, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 
8:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency Sacramento, 1209 L Street, Sacramento, CA 
95814.
     Carson City, Nevada: October 6, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 
8:00 p.m., Courtyard Carson City, 3870 South Carson Street, Carson 
City, NV 89701.
     Salem, Oregon: October 12, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 
p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Salem, Oregon, 1590 Weston Court NE., 
Salem, OR 97301.
     Phoenix, Arizona: October 18, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 
p.m., Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 100 North 1st Street, 
Phoenix, AZ 85004.
     Pocatello, Idaho: October 20, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 
p.m., Red Lion Hotel Pocatello, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road, Pocatello, 
ID 83201.

Background

    The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 
112-96, Title VI, 126 Stat. 156 (codified at 47 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.)) 
(the ``Act'') created and authorized FirstNet to take all actions 
necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of an 
interoperable, nationwide public safety broadband network (``NPSBN'') 
based on a single, national network architecture. The Act meets a 
longstanding and critical national infrastructure need, to create a 
single, nationwide network that will, for the first time, allow police 
officers, fire fighters, emergency medical service professionals, and 
other public safety entities to effectively communicate with each other 
across agencies and jurisdictions. The NPSBN is intended to enhance the 
ability of the public safety community to perform more reliably, 
effectively, and safely; increase situational awareness during an 
emergency; and improve the ability of the public safety community to 
effectively engage in those critical activities.
    The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) 
(``NEPA'') requires federal agencies to undertake an assessment of 
environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making a final 
decision and implementing the action. NEPA requirements apply to any 
federal project, decision, or action that may have a significant impact 
on the quality of the human environment. NEPA also establishes the 
Council on Environmental Quality (``CEQ''), which issued regulations 
implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA (see 40 CFR parts 1500-
1508). Among other considerations, CEQ regulations at 40 CFR 1508.28 
recommend the use of tiering from a ``broader environmental impact 
statement (such as a national program or policy statements) with 
subsequent narrower statements or environmental analysis (such as 
regional or basin wide statements or ultimately site-specific 
statements) incorporating by reference the general discussions and 
concentrating solely on the issues specific to the statement 
subsequently prepared.''
    Due to the geographic scope of FirstNet (all 50 states, the 
District of Columbia, and five territories) and the diversity of 
ecosystems potentially traversed by the project, FirstNet has elected 
to prepare five regional PEISs. The five PEISs were divided into the 
East, Central, West, South, and Non-

[[Page 64445]]

Contiguous Regions. The West Region consists of Arizona, California, 
Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The Draft PEIS analyzes 
potential impacts of the deployment and operation of the NPSBN on the 
natural and human environment in the West Region, in accordance with 
FirstNet's responsibilities under NEPA.

Next Steps

    All comments received by the public and any interested stakeholders 
will be evaluated and considered by FirstNet during the preparation of 
the Final PEIS. Once a PEIS is completed and a Record of Decision (ROD) 
is signed, FirstNet will evaluate site-specific documentation, as 
network design is developed, to determine if the proposed project has 
been adequately evaluated in the PEIS or warrants a Categorical 
Exclusion, an Environmental Assessment, or an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

    Dated: September 15, 2016.
Elijah Veenendaal,
Attorney--Advisor, First Responder Network Authority.
[FR Doc. 2016-22575 Filed 9-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-TL-P

64444 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 20, 2016 / Notices Dated: September 14, 2016. Telecommunications and Information Hotel Pocatello, 1555 Pocatello Creek Jason Donaldson, Administration, U.S. Department of Road, Pocatello, ID 83201. Chief Financial Officer, Office of Oceanic and Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Background Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. Comments Atmospheric Administration. received will be made a part of the The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job [FR Doc. 2016–22616 Filed 9–19–16; 8:45 am] public record and may be posted to Creation Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112–96, BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P FirstNet’s Web site (www.firstnet.gov) Title VI, 126 Stat. 156 (codified at 47 without change. Comments should be U.S.C. 1401 et seq.)) (the ‘‘Act’’) created machine readable and should not be and authorized FirstNet to take all DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE copy-protected. All personally actions necessary to ensure the building, identifiable information (e.g., name, deployment, and operation of an National Telecommunications and address) voluntarily submitted by the interoperable, nationwide public safety Information Administration commenter may be publicly accessible. broadband network (‘‘NPSBN’’) based Do not submit confidential business on a single, national network First Responder Network Authority information or otherwise sensitive or architecture. The Act meets a protected information. The Draft PEIS is longstanding and critical national [Docket Number: 160830796–6796–01] available for download from infrastructure need, to create a single, RIN 0660–XC030 www.regulations.gov, FIRSTNET–2016– nationwide network that will, for the 0004. A CD containing the electronic first time, allow police officers, fire Notice of Availability of a Draft files of this document is also available fighters, emergency medical service Programmatic Environmental Impact at public libraries (see Chapter 14 of the professionals, and other public safety Statement for the West Region of the Draft PEIS for the complete distribution entities to effectively communicate with Nationwide Public Safety Broadband list). See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION each other across agencies and Network and Notice of Public Meetings section for public meeting addresses. jurisdictions. The NPSBN is intended to AGENCY: First Responder Network FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For enhance the ability of the public safety Authority, National more information on the Draft PEIS, community to perform more reliably, Telecommunications and Information contact Genevieve Walker, Director of effectively, and safely; increase Administration, U.S. Department of Environmental Compliance, First situational awareness during an Commerce. Responder Network Authority, National emergency; and improve the ability of Telecommunications and Information the public safety community to ACTION: Announcement of availability of Administration, U.S. Department of effectively engage in those critical a draft programmatic environmental activities. impact statement and of public Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192. The National Environmental Policy meetings. Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: The First Responder Network (‘‘NEPA’’) requires federal agencies to Authority (‘‘FirstNet’’) announces the Public Meetings undertake an assessment of Attendees can obtain information environmental effects of their proposed availability of the Draft Programmatic regarding the project and/or submit a actions prior to making a final decision Environmental Impact Statement for the comment in person during public and implementing the action. NEPA West Region (‘‘Draft PEIS’’). FirstNet meetings. The meeting details are as requirements apply to any federal also announces a series of public follows: project, decision, or action that may meetings to be held throughout the West • Olympia, Washington: October 3, have a significant impact on the quality Region to receive comments on the Draft 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., of the human environment. NEPA also PEIS. The Draft PEIS evaluates the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Olympia, establishes the Council on potential environmental impacts of the 415 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA Environmental Quality (‘‘CEQ’’), which proposed nationwide public safety 98501. issued regulations implementing the broadband network in the West Region, procedural provisions of NEPA (see 40 composed of Arizona, California, Idaho, • Los Angeles, California: October 4, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Omni CFR parts 1500–1508). Among other Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. considerations, CEQ regulations at 40 DATES: Submit comments on the Draft Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza, 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA CFR 1508.28 recommend the use of PEIS for the West Region on or before tiering from a ‘‘broader environmental November 15, 2016. FirstNet will also 90012. • Sacramento, California: October 5, impact statement (such as a national hold public meetings in each of the six program or policy statements) with 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Hyatt states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION subsequent narrower statements or Regency Sacramento, 1209 L Street, section for meeting dates. environmental analysis (such as Sacramento, CA 95814. ADDRESSES: At any time during the • Carson City, Nevada: October 6, regional or basin wide statements or public comment period, members of the 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., ultimately site-specific statements) public, public agencies, and other Courtyard Carson City, 3870 South incorporating by reference the general interested parties are encouraged to Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701. discussions and concentrating solely on submit written comments, questions, • Salem, Oregon: October 12, 2016, the issues specific to the statement and concerns about the project for from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., DoubleTree subsequently prepared.’’ FirstNet’s consideration or to attend any Due to the geographic scope of sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES by Hilton Hotel Salem, Oregon, 1590 of the public meetings. Written Weston Court NE., Salem, OR 97301. FirstNet (all 50 states, the District of comments may be submitted • Phoenix, Arizona: October 18, 2016, Columbia, and five territories) and the electronically via www.regulations.gov, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Renaissance diversity of ecosystems potentially FIRSTNET–2016–0004, or by mail to Phoenix Downtown Hotel, 100 North 1st traversed by the project, FirstNet has Genevieve Walker, Director of Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. elected to prepare five regional PEISs. Environmental Compliance, First • Pocatello, Idaho: October 20, 2016, The five PEISs were divided into the Responder Network Authority, National from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Red Lion East, Central, West, South, and Non- VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:13 Sep 19, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 182 / Tuesday, September 20, 2016 / Notices 64445 Contiguous Regions. The West Region The closed portion of the meeting will government; (g) recommendations on consists of Arizona, California, Idaho, be held at various locations in the how to improve the digital Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The Pentagon. infrastructure that supports command Draft PEIS analyzes potential impacts of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The and control; (h) streamlining of rapid the deployment and operation of the Board’s Designated Federal Officer fielding processes, particularly for NPSBN on the natural and human (DFO) is Roma Laster, Defense unmanned systems; (i) the lack of a environment in the West Region, in Innovation Board, 1155 Defense dedicated computer science core in the accordance with FirstNet’s Pentagon, Room 5B1088A, Washington, workforce; and (j) potential application responsibilities under NEPA. DC 20301–1155, roma.k.laster.civ@ of emerging technologies such as Next Steps mail.mil. The Board’s Executive artificial intelligence, autonomy, and Director is Joshua Marcuse, Defense man-machine teaming. All comments received by the public During the closed portion of the Innovation Board, 1155 Defense and any interested stakeholders will be meeting on Wednesday, October 5, Pentagon, Room 3A1078, Washington, evaluated and considered by FirstNet 2016, the Board will hold discussions of DC 20301–1155, joshua.j.marcuse.civ@ during the preparation of the Final PEIS. innovation with senior leaders from the Once a PEIS is completed and a Record mail.mil. For meeting information and to submit written comments or Office of the Secretary of Defense, the of Decision (ROD) is signed, FirstNet Office of Net Assessment, and the Office will evaluate site-specific questions to the Board, send via email to mailbox address: of the Secretary of the Army. Discussion documentation, as network design is topics will include, but are not limited developed, to determine if the proposed joshua.j.marcuse.civ@mail.mil. Please include in the Subject line ‘‘DIB October to, strategic platforms and technological project has been adequately evaluated in advancements, briefings on emerging the PEIS or warrants a Categorical 2016 Meeting.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This threats, future military capabilities, and Exclusion, an Environmental observations from research sessions Assessment, or an Environmental meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory involving classified material. All Impact Statement. presentations and resulting discussions Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 Dated: September 15, 2016. are classified. U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Elijah Veenendaal, Government in the Sunshine Act of Public’s Accessibility to the Meeting: Attorney—Advisor, First Responder Network 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and Pursuant to Federal statutes and Authority. 41 CFR 102–3.140. regulations (5 U.S.C., Appendix, 5 [FR Doc. 2016–22575 Filed 9–19–16; 8:45 am] Purpose of the Meeting: The mission U.S.C. 552b, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 BILLING CODE 3510–TL–P of the Board is to examine and provide through 102–3.165) and the availability the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy of space, the meeting is open to the Secretary of Defense independent public from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE advice and recommendations on Seating is on a first-come basis. innovative means to address future Members of the public wishing to attend Office of the Secretary challenges in terms of integrated change the meeting should contact the to organizational structure and Executive Director to register and make Defense Innovation Board; Notice of arrangements for a Pentagon escort, if processes, business and functional Federal Advisory Committee Meeting necessary, no later than five business concepts, and technology applications. AGENCY: Office of the Deputy Chief The Board focuses on (a) technology and days prior to the meeting, at the email Management Officer, Department of capabilities, (b) practices and address noted in the FOR FURTHER Defense (DoD). operations, and (c) people and culture. INFORMATION CONTACT section. ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Meeting Agenda: During the open Public attendees requiring escort Committee meeting. portion of the meeting on Wednesday, should arrive at the Pentagon Visitor’s October 5, 2016, the Board will present Center, located near the Pentagon Metro SUMMARY: The DoD is publishing this and discuss their observations and Station’s south exit (the escalators to the notice to announce the following recommendations on how to expand left upon exiting through the turnstiles) Federal advisory committee meeting of and advance innovation across the and adjacent to the Pentagon Transit the Defense Innovation Board (‘‘the Department of Defense. Time Center bus terminal, with sufficient time Board’’). This meeting is partially closed permitting, the Board will discuss and to complete security screening no later to the public. deliberate on interim findings and than 8:30 a.m. on October 5, 2016. Note: DATES: The public meeting of the Board recommendations regarding the Pentagon tour groups enter through the will be held on Wednesday, October 5, challenges of: (a) Promoting innovative Visitor’s Center, so long lines could 2016. The open portion of the meeting practices and culture in the form well in advance. To complete will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 conventional forces; (b) barriers to security screening, please come a.m. (Escort required; see guidance in innovation and collaboration in the prepared to present two forms of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, civilian workforce; (c) barriers to identification of which one must be a ‘‘Public’s Accessibility to the Meeting.’’) information sharing and the processing, picture identification card. While some The closed portion of the meeting of exploitation, dissemination, and Government and military DoD Common the Board will be held from 12:30 p.m. interoperability of data; (d) enabling Access Card holders are not required to to 4:30 p.m. workforce-driven innovation using have an escort, they may be required to sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: The open portion of the crowdsourcing methodologies and pass through the Visitor’s Center to gain meeting will be held in the Pentagon techniques; (e) the lack of adequate access to the Pentagon. Conference Center Room B6 in the organic capability and capacity for Special Accommodations: Individuals Pentagon, Washington, DC (Escort software development and rapid requiring special accommodations to required; See guidance in the prototyping of software solutions; (f) access the public meeting should SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, approaches to increasing collaboration contact the Executive Director at least ‘‘Public’s Accessibility to the Meeting.’’) with entities outside the federal five business days prior to the meeting VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:13 Sep 19, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM 20SEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:20:12
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:20:12
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionAnnouncement of availability of a draft programmatic environmental impact statement and of public meetings.
DatesSubmit comments on the Draft PEIS for the West Region on or before November 15, 2016. FirstNet will also hold public meetings in each of the six states. See SUPPLMENTARY INFORMATION section for meeting dates.
ContactFor more information on the Draft PEIS, contact Genevieve Walker, Director of Environmental Compliance, First Responder Network Authority, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, M/S 243, Reston, VA 20192.
FR Citation81 FR 64444 
RIN Number0660-XC03
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